Tesla began production of its long-wheelbase Model Y L at Giga Texas, giving the automaker a six-seat electric SUV to fill the gap left by the discontinued Model X.
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Tesla starts Model Y L production at $61,990 as stock slides
Tesla began production of its long-wheelbase Model Y L at Giga Texas, giving the automaker a six-seat electric SUV to fill the gap left by the discontinued Model X.
Tesla's Model Y L adds nearly 7 inches of length and a third row of seats to the company's best-selling vehicle, challenging the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 in the growing three-row electric SUV segment. The variant, which first went on sale in China about a year ago, arrived in the US as Tesla's most expensive Model Y yet.
"With the Model X gone, Tesla needed a family hauler that could compete with the Rivian R1S and Kia EV9," said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions. "The Model Y L gives them that without the cost of developing an entirely new platform."
The Model Y L Launch Series starts at $61,990, roughly $12,000 more than the standard Model Y Premium AWD at $49,990. It offers 325 miles of EPA-estimated range and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, about two-tenths quicker than the standard all-wheel-drive version despite weighing roughly 212 pounds more. The six-seat cabin uses a 2+2+2 layout with heated and ventilated captain's chairs in the second row, an 8-inch rear display, and a 16-inch front touchscreen. Cargo space expands to 89 cubic feet with all seats folded, compared with 76 cubic feet in the standard Model Y.
The production start comes as Tesla shares trade lower, with the market weighing the Model Y L's premium pricing against rising competition from the Rivian R2, which starts at $57,990, and the Kia EV9, which begins around $56,000. The Model Y L's higher price point and added weight could pressure margins on Tesla's highest-volume model, which accounted for roughly two-thirds of the company's 1.8 million deliveries in 2025.
A Six-Seat Answer to the Model X Gap
Tesla discontinued the Model X earlier this year to redirect Fremont factory capacity toward Optimus humanoid robot production, leaving a hole in its lineup for buyers who needed three rows. The Model Y L fills that gap with a stretched platform that adds 5.8 inches to the wheelbase, bringing it to 119.7 inches — still shorter than the Rivian R1S at 121.1 inches but longer than the Rivian R2 at 115.6 inches.
The third row offers 31 inches of legroom, up from 25.8 inches in the standard Model Y's optional seven-seat configuration. Headroom in the third row measures 38.1 inches, compared with 34.6 inches in the standard version. Tesla added power recline and child-seat anchors to the third row, along with dedicated speakers and air vents. The Launch Series also includes a 12-month trial of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) and 12 months of free Supercharging.
The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces an estimated 514 horsepower and 435 pound-feet of torque, powered by the same roughly 80-kilowatt-hour battery pack used in the standard Model Y. Tesla says the Model Y L can add up to 164 miles of range in about 15 minutes at a Supercharger, a feature that could appeal to families taking road trips.
What the Stock Move Tells Investors
Tesla shares have declined since the production announcement, suggesting investors see limited near-term upside from the Model Y L's launch. The vehicle's $61,990 starting price places it above the average transaction price for new EVs in the US, which stood at roughly $56,000 in the second quarter, according to Kelley Blue Book data. The Model Y L also costs about $12,000 more than its Chinese counterpart, according to CarNewsChina, reflecting higher US production costs and import duties on components.
If Tesla introduces lower-priced trims later this year, as it has done with previous Launch Series vehicles, the Model Y L could broaden its addressable market. For now, the stretched SUV represents Tesla's most expensive Model Y variant — and its only three-row option after the Model X's departure. The company has not disclosed plans for additional trims or a timeline for wider availability.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
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